Leveling machine



2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 14, 1930.

A. EPPLER LEVELING MACHINE Filed April '7, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Cil Patented Jan. 14, 1930 UNTE STATES ANDREW EPPLER, OF LYN N, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TGU'NITD SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY LEVELING MACHINE Application i'iled April 7,

rlihis invention relates to machines for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes (herein referred to generally as shoes) for performing what is commonly termed the 'leveling operation, and more particularly to machines of that type in which a leveling tool, for example a spring-pressed roll operates to apply its pressure to different portions of the bottom of the shoe successively in response to relative movement of the tool and the shoe lengthwise of theshoe. .lVhile such machines are used principally for treating the outsoles of shoes, they are also sometimes used to prepare the lasted shoe for the reception of the outsole, and the term leveling is, accordingly, employed herein in a general sense to comprehend such different uses.

The bottom of ay shoe usually presents rearwardly of the ball-line al substantial lengthwiseslope relative to the forepart, which is especially pronounced in shoes having higharched shanks. Accordingly, as the shoe is positioned bottom upward in machines ofthe above-mentioned type, there is a substantial variation in the height at which different portions of the shoe bottom are presented to-the leveling roll and alsoin the angular. relation between the longitudinal contour of different portions of thebottomface and the direction et the pressure appliedby the roll. In view of these conditions, such machines have been commonly providedheretofore with pressurecontrolling means `associated with the springpressed roll, both to compensate for the differences in height, and also, by suitable relief of the pressure infoperating immediately at the rear of the ball-line, to preventthe roll from dropping too forcibly dow-n the slope from the ball intoftheshank-or from bearing too hard'on the shoe bottom inzreturning from the shank to the forepart with` consequent danger of damage to the shoe-or toythelast.

The present invention deals `,inl a different manner with theconditions'thus:encountered, through the provision of a novel` organiza- 1528.` Serial No, 268,355.

tion of means for controlling the relation belation between the shoeand the tool in such manner as to maintain substantially the same angular relation,.for example, a substantially perpendicular relation, between the direction of the pressure applied by the tool and the longitudinal contour of different portions of the bottomvof the shoe. For the accomplishment of the objects in view, the construction herein shown comprises mechanism which operates :in suitable time relationto the relative movements of the leveling roll and the shoe lengthwiseoff the shoe to tip the shoe about an axis extending laterally thereofl andthus to present the different portions of its bottom face in the desired relation to the roll. Preferably this axis is located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe-bottom, and a tipping movement of the shoe takes place atv the time when the rollfis engaging the shoe in that location. In the cycleof operations of the illustrated machine-thereis a4 pause in the relative movement of the roll and the shoe lengthwise of theshoe when-the roll, in traversingthe shoe fromthe-toe end`rearwardly,`is located substantially atV the ball-line, and during this pause' the vshoe is tipped about the above-inentioned a-Xis to bring the slopingportion-of its bottom face at the rear of the ball-line-upto substantially the same levelas kthat-in,which theforepart was previously presented to lthe rollg, Astheoperationof the machinecontinues, thefroll then acts toapply to that-pertion of thebottomface pressure of subst-antour of the shoe bottom as that previously applied to the forepart. Furthermore, as the operation of the roll progresses along the shank in the illustrated machine, the shoe is tipped gradually in the opposite direction from that of its first tipping movement to present different portions of the curved shank successively in substantially the saine relation to the roll. Thereafter, in the traverse of the roll back to the toe end of the shoe, tipping movements are. imparted to the shoe which are the reverse of those imparted to it in the traverse of the roll from the toe end rearwardly, so that the same conditions as to height of the shoe bottom and direction of pressure are maintained in the return to the toe.

It will be evident that the construction thus provid-ed is especially well adapted to the application of a substantially uniform degree of pressure to all portions of the shoe bottom that are operated upon, since there is nothing in the manner of presentation of the shoe which tends to cause any substantial alteration in the stress of the pressure spring and for the further reason that there is no occasion to relieve the pressure in order to avoid damage by the action of the roll in entering or leaving the shank. t will further be understood that, since the shoe is so presented that the direction of the pressure applied by the roll is in substantially perpendicular relation to the longitudinal contour of the shoe bottom both at the forepart and at the rear of the ball-line, the pressure is applied in the most effective manner for the purposes in view and without danger at any portion of the shoe bottom of objectionable drag on the sole in the direction of its length.

The different features of the invention, including` various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings and thereafter pointed out in the claims. i

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation, with parts broken away, showing a machine in which the invention is embodied; and

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are views illustrating different positions of the shoe in relation to the leveling roll in the cycle of operations of Y the machine.

For purposes of illustration the invention is herein shown as embodied in a machine of a comparatively simple type, although it is to be understood that it is suscepti le of various embodiments. The machine is provided with a leveling roll 10 mounted for turning'movement on a roll carrier 12, this carrier being pivotally mounted at 14 on a holder 16 which is fast on a shaft 18 mounted in bearings 2O on the frame of the machine for turning movement about an axis at right angles to the axis 14 of the carrier 12. The roll 10 is arranged to enmachine gage the bottom of a shoe a (herein shown diagrammatically) which is supported by means hereinafter described, and for pressing the roll downwardly on the bottom of the shoe there is provided a spring 22 which bears at one end on an arm 24 of the holder 16 and atits opposite end on an arm 26 which projects upwardly from the carrier 12. A rod 28 which is pivoted at 30 on the arm 24 extends through the spring 22 and loosely through an opening in the arm 26, and has threaded thereon at its outer end a hand wheel 32 which is adapted'to serve adjustably as an abutment for engagement with the arm 26 to limit downward movement of the roll in case no shoe is mounted in the machine. A nut 34 is provided for clamping the hand wheel 32 in adjusted position.

It will be understood that the shaft 18 serves as means whereby the roll may be tipped laterally of the shoe to any desired extent and in any desired relation to the cycle of relative movements of the roll and the shoe lengthwise of the shoe for operation along the side edges of the shoe bottom, especially in the shank. For effecting such tipping movement-s of the roll, as well as other movements hereinafter described, there is secured on a shaft 36 a cam wheel 38 having in its periphery a path cam 40 in which is mounted a roll 42 carried by a lever arm 44 pivoted at its lower end on the frame of the At its upper end the arm 44 is provided with a slot 46 in which is adj ustably Vsecured a stud 48 which carries a roll'() positioned in a slot 52 formed in an arm 54 which is fast on the shaft 18. It will be understood that the cam 40 is so shaped as to impart to the roll the desired tipping movements in time relation to the other movements of the 'machine, and that by adjustment of the stud 48 in the slot 46 of the arm 44 the amplitude of such tipping movements may be varied.

For positioning the shoe in proper relation to the rolll() the machine is provided with a shoe support comprising` an arm 56 pivotally mounted at its lower end at 58 on the frame, and pivotally mounted by means vof a spindle 60 on the upper end kof the arm 56 is a shoe holder comprising a depending arm 62 fast onv the spindle 60. The arm 62 has in one side thereof a guideway in which is' adjustably mounted for upward or downward movement a block 64 having at its lower which the shoe as av whole is positioned on A spindle 72 the shoe support. Swivelled in a bearing formed in the block 64 is a spindle 7 4 which is providedv with right and left-hand threaded portions for engagement respectively with corresponding threads formed in the shoesupporting members 68 and 70, this spindle serving by adjustment to move these members equally toward or from each other to adapt them to receive shoes of different lengths. The member 70 is provided at its upper end with a pad 76 for engaging the orepart of the shoe, and has also mounted thereon a roll receiver 78 for guiding the roll 10 on and oil2 the toe end of the shoe without damage to the shoe.

For impartingmovements to the shoe support to cause the roll 10to traverse the bottom of the shoe, there is connected to the arm 56 a link 80 provided with a roll 82 which lies in a path cam 84 formed in one side of the cam wheel 38. Thatend of the link 80 which carries the roll 82 is supported on the upper end of an arm 86 which is pivotally mounted on a spindle 88 on the frame ot the machine. At its other endthe link 80 carries a pin 9-0 which extends through. a slot 92 in the'arm 56 and is connected by a link 94 to a lever arm 96 tast on a spindle 98 which also carries a hand lever 100. It will thus he seen that by movement of; the lever 100 the position of the pin 90Ain theslot 92 may be varied, and by this means a variation may be eected in the amplitudeof movement of the shoe support in adapting the machine to operate on shoes of different lengths. A latch 102 mounted on the` lever 100 servesI in cooperationwith notches 104; formed in a iixed segmental member 106 to hold the lever 1GO in adjusted position.

For effecting and controlling movements orn the shoe holder 62l about the axis of the spindle 60 for purposes of this invention, there is pro-vided in 'the opposite side of the cam wheel 38 fromothe pathcam84 another path cam 108 in which ismountled a roll 110 carried by an arm 112, this arm being' pivotally mounted atl itslower enden the spindle 88. The upper endotl the arm 11-2 is connected by link 114 to an arm 116 fast on the spindle 60. lt will thus be seen that through these. connections swinging movements are imparted to theshoe holder 62 in predeterminedtime relation to the swinging movements of the shoe-supporting arm 56 controlled by the path cam 84. The link 114 is adjustably connected to the upper end ot' the arm 112 through the provision of a slot 118 in the arm, so that the amplitudeot the swinging movements of the shoe vholder may be varied.

For imparting turningV movement to the cam wheel 38 there is fast on the shaft 36 a worm gear 12() engaged by a worm 122 on a shaft 124. The shaft 124 is arranged to be driven intermittently bya belt-pulley 126 through a suitable clutch which may be of any convenient type, the construction shown comprising a clutch member 128 which is movable lengthwise of the shaft 124 and mounted to turn therewith, this clutch meml ber being arranged to (2o-operate with al clutch member 1,30 tast on the pulley 126. rlhe clutch member 128 is controlled by a bellcrank lever 132 having a pin-and-slot connection 134 with a lever 136 pivoted on the spindle 88. A spring plunger 138 is arranged to act on the lever 136 to hold the clutch member 128- normally in idle position. For actuating the clutch to start the machine there is provided a treadle lever 140 .vhich is pivx otally mounted on the spindle 88 and is normally held upraised by a spring' 142, this lever upon its depression being arranged to engage a lug. 144y on the lever, 136 and thus to swing the lat-ter in the direction to force the clutch clutch member 128 in operativepositionuntil s the machine has completed its cycle, whereupon the lug again enters the notch in response to the action ofthe spring plunger 138 simultaneously with the release of the clutch.

It will be seen that, as illustrated, the axis or' the swinging movement-s of the shoe holder 62, coinciding with the axis of the spindle 60, extendslaterally of the shoe in a location substantially at the junctionA of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom, and it is preferable that this axis be positioned substantially or approximately in that relation to the shoe in the operation or" the machineon diieient sizes and styles of shoes. Ad-

justment of the shoe holder to secure such a relation in changing from one size or style of shoe to another is effected by use of the threaded spindles 72 and 74.

In the use of the machine the operator mounts a shoe on the shoe support when the .fl

parts are positio-ned as illustrated in Fig'. 2, and then starts the machine by depressing the treadle 140. The machine then operates automatically in a predetermined cycle whereby, in the construction illustrated, there is effected a single reciprocation of the shoe support arm 56 about its axis 58 through the action of the cam 84 to cause the roll 10 to traverse the shoe from the toe end rearwardly to the heel-seat and then to return to thetoe end, although it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to a construction in which the relative movements, of the shoe and theroll lengthwise of the shoe are of this particular character. In the course of the cycle of operations the roll is tipped by the action of the path cam l0 to incline it as desired for operating along the side edges of the shoe bottom. ln time relation to the swinging movements of the shoe supporting arm 56, the shoe holder 62 is swung about the axis of the spindle 60 by the action of the cam 108 to tip the shoe lengthwise and thereby to control as desired the relation of different portions of its bottom face to the leveling roll. The cams 841-V and 108 in the construction shown are so designed that the shoe holder 62 is maintained in approximately the same relation to the supporting arm 56 in the traverse of the roll from the toe end to the ball-line, whereupon there is a pause in the movement of the arm 56 during which the shoe holder is tipped by its cam 108 to bring that portion of the bottom face of the shoe which slopes rearwardly from the ball-line to substantially the same level as the forepart previously operated upon by the roll, as illustrated in F ig. 3. rEhe swinging movement of the arm 56 is then resumed, causing the ro-ll to traverse the shoe bottom from the ball-line rearwardly, and it will be seen that the direction of its pressure is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal contour of that portion of the shoe bottom that slopes rearwardly from the ball-line, as it was previously to the longitudinal contour of the forepart. As the roll traverses the shank the cam 108 swings the shoe holder 62 progressively in the opposite direction from that in which it was swung when the roll was positioned at the ball-line, thus presenting different portions ofthe curved shank successively with their longitudinal contours in substantially the same angular relation to the direction of the pressure applied by the roll. In this manner the roll traverses the shank to the heel-seat, whereupon the direction of the movement of the arm 56 is reversed. As the roll traverses the shank in the opposite direction a tipping movement is imparted to the shoe holder in the opposite direction from that in which it was tipped in the rearward traverse of the roll along the shank, to maintain the relation between the roll and the longitudinal contour of the shank substantially the same as in the first operation of the roll thereon. When the roll again arrives at the ball-line there is a pause in the swinging movement of the arm V56, during which the shoe holder is swung to tip the shoe into the same relation to the roll as that which it occupied in the first operation of the roll on the forepart, and this relation is maintained until the roll leaves the toe end of the shoe.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a construction whereby the different portions of the shoe bottom are presented at substantially the same height for the action of the leveling roll thereon, so that the pressure applied by the roll in response to the action of the spring 22 is substantially constant in operating on different portions of the'shoe bottom. 1t will be further observed that the shoe is so presented to the action of the roll that substantially the same angularrelation, preferably a substantially or approximately perpendicular relation, is maintained between the longitudinal contour of the shoe bottom and the direction of the pressure applied by the roll in the operations on different portions of the shoe bottom including the curved shank. The pressure is thus applied to the different portions in a direct manner such as to secure the most satisfactory results, without danger of damage to any portion of the bottom of the shoe by drag of the roll thereon in a direction lengthwise of the sho-e.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. 1n a machine of the class described, a

leveling tool, means for effecting relative movement of said tool and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the tool to traverse the forepart and shank portions of thel bottom of the shoe, and means for maintaining the levment of said tool and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the tool to traverse the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, and means for maintaining the leveling pressure substantially constant on said different portions of the bottom of the shoe comprising mechanism for tipping the shoe about an axis extending laterally thereof topresent the different portions at substantially the same height for the action of the leveling tool thereon.

3. In a machine of the class described a leveling tool, means for effecting relative movement of said tool and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the tool to traverse the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, and means for controlling the shoe to present said dierent portions of the shoe bottom with their longitudinal contours in substantially the same angular relation to the direction of the pressure applied by the tool. i

4. In a machine of the class described, a leveling tool, means for effecting relative movement of said tool and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the tool to traverse the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, and means for tipping the shoe about an a-Xis extending laterally thereof to present said difl'lerent portions of the bottom of the shoe at substantially the same height for the action of the tool thereon and with their longitudinal contours in substantially the same angular relation to lthe direction of the pres` sure applied by the tool.

5. In a leveling machine, a leveling tool, means for effecting relative movement of said tool and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the tool to traverse the bottom of the shoe,-

and means for tipping the shoe lengthwise in automatically determined time relation to said relativemovement to present different portions of its bottom face with their vlongitudinal contours in substantially the same angular relation to the direction of the pressure applied by the tool.

6. In a leveling machine, a leveling tool, means for eifecting relative movement of said tool and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the tool to traverse the bottom of the shoe, and means for tipping the shoe about an axis extending laterally thereof and located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom to present said different portions of the shoe bottom '.vith their longitudinal contours in substantial-ly the same angular relation to the direction of the pressure applied by the tool.

. 7. In a machine of the class described, a leveling roll, means for effecting relative move# ment of said roll and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the roll to traverse the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, and automatic means for controlling the shoe in time relation to said relative movement to present said diei'ent portions of the shoe bottom with their longitudinal contours in substantially perpendicular relation to the di* rection of the pressure applied by the roll.

8. In a machine of the class described, ka

" leveling roll, means for elfectin'g relative movement of said roll and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the roll to traverse the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, and controlling means constructed to position the shoe with the longitudinal con'- tour of its forepart in substantially perpendicular relation to the direction of the pressure applied by the roll and by tipping movement of the shoe to present that portion of its bottom face which slopesrearwardly from the ball-line also with its longitudinal lcontour in substantially perpendicular relation to the direction of the pressure vat the time of the operation of the roll thereon.

9. In a leveling machine, a leveling roll, means for eecting relative movement of said roll and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the roll to traverse the forepart and shank portions ofthe shoe bottom successively, and means arranged to act when the roll is po'- sitioned at the ball of the shoe to tip the shoe about an axis extending laterally thereof to present that portion of its bottomv face that slopes rearwardly from the ball-line at substantially the same level vfor the action of the roll as the forepart previously operated upon.

l0. In a leveling machine, a leveling roll, means for effecting relative movement of said roll and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the roll to traverse the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom successively, and means arranged to act when the roll is positioned at the ball of the shoe to tip the shoe about an axis extending laterally thereof and located substantially in the area of contact between the roll 'and the shoe to present that portion of the slice bottom that slopes rearwardly from the ball-line with its longitudinal contour in substantially the same angular relation to the direction of the pressure applied by the roll as the. longitudinal contour of the forepart previously operated upon.

11. In a leveling machine, a leveling roll, means for effecting relative movement of said roll and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the roll to traverse the forepart and shank portions of the slice bottom, said means being so formed as to effect a pause in Vsaid relative movement when the roll is positioned at the ball of the shoe, and mechanism arranged to act at the time of said pause to tip the shoe about an axis extending laterally thereof for presenting that portion of its bottom face that slopes rearwardly from the ball-line in substantially the same relation to the roll as the forepart previously operated upon.

l2. In a leveling machine, a leveling roll, means for effecting relative movement of said roll and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the roll to traverse the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom, said means being'so formed as to effect a pause in said relative movement when the roll is positioned substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom, and mechanism arranged to act at the time of said pause to tip the shoe about an axis extending laterally thereof and located substantially in the area of contact between the roll and the shoe to elevate that portion of the bottom face of the shoe that slopes rearwardly from the ball-line and to present it with its longitudinal contour in substantially the same angular relation to the direction ofl the pressure applied by the roll as the longitudinal contour lof the forepart previously operated upon.

13. In a leveling machine, a leveling tool, means for effecting relative movement of said tool and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the tool to traverse the bottom of the shoe, and means arranged to operate in time relation to said relative movement in the traverse of the tool from one end of the shoe toward the other end to tip the shoe first in one direction andl then in the opposite direction about an axis extending laterally thereof to present different portions of its bottom face in substantially the Same relation to the tool.

isively, and means arranged to operate when the roll is positioned substantially at the ball ot the shoe to tip the shoe about an axis extending laterally thereof to present that portion of its bottom face that slopes rearwardly from the ball-line with its longitudinal contour in substantially the same angular rela tion to the direction of the pressure applied by the roll as the longitudinal contour of the forepart previously operated upon and thereafter to tip the shoe in the opposite direction as the roll traverses the shank to- Vas ward the heel-seat.

15. In a leveling machine, a leveling roll, means for effecting relative movement of said roll and a shoe lengthwise of the shoe to cause the roll to traverse the forepart and shank portions or" the bottom of the shoe successively, and automatic means for imparting to the shoe a tipping movement in one direction about an axis extending laterally thereof when the roll is positioned substantially at the ball of the shoe and for tipping it progressively in the opposite direction about said axis as the roll traverses the shank.

Y 16. Ina machine of the class described, a leveling roll, a shoe support, and means for eecting relative movement ot said roll and support lengthwise of the shoerto cause the roll to traverse the :torepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, said shoe support comprising a shoe holder mounted for tipping movement about an axis extending laterally of the shoe in a location substan- "ially adjacent to the bottom of the shoe to permit the orepart and shank portions of the shoebottomto be presented with their longitudinal contours in substantially the same an` gular relation to the direction of the pressure applied by the roll.

17. In a machine of the class described, a leveling roll, a shoe support, and means for effecting relative movement of said roll and support lengthwise ot the shoe to cause the oll to traverse the orepart and shank portions ot the bottom of the shoe, said shoe support comprising a shoe holder mounted forl tipping movement about'an axis extending laterally of the shoein such a location as to permit the bottom of the shank of the shoe at dilferent portions of itslength to be presented with its longitudinal contour in substantially perpendicular relation to the direction of the pressure applied by the roll.

18. In a machine of the class described, a

leveling roll, a shoe support, and means for effecting relative movement of said roll and support lengthwise of the shoe to cause the roll to traverse the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, said shoe support comprising a shoe holder mounted for tions of the bottom of the shoe, said shoe supy port comprising a shoe holder mounted for tipping movement aboutv an axis extending laterally of the shoe, and mechanism automatically operative in time relation to said relative movementof the roll and support to tip said holder about its axisfor controlling the relation between the roll and the shoe.

20. In a machine of the class described, a leveling roll, a shoe support, and means for eiecting relative movement of said roll and support lengthwise of the shoe to cause the roll to traverse the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, said shoe support comprising a shoe holder mounted for tipping movement 'about an axis extending laterally of the shoe, and means automatically operative in time relation to said relative movement of the roll and support in the travf erse of the roll from one end of the shoe toward the other end to tip said holder about its axis in opposite directions successively to clontrol the relation between the roll and the s ioe.

21. In a machine of the class described, a leveling roll, a shoe support, and means for eecting relative movement of said roll and support lengthwise of the shoeV to cause the roll to traverse the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, said shoe support comprising a-shoe Vholder mounted for tipping movement about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and located substantially at the junction ot the orepart and shank portions of the shoe' bottom, and mechanism automatically operative to tip said holder in one direction about its axis when the roll is located at the ball of the shoe and thereafter to tip it in the opposite direction as the roll traverses the shank portion of the shoe.

22. In a machine of the class described, a leveling roll, a shoe support, and means for effecting relative movement of said roll and support lengthwise of the shoe to cause the roll to traverse the forepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, said means being constructed to effect a pause in the relative movement of the roll and support when the roll is located at the ball of the shoe, said shoe support comprising a shoe holder mounted for tipping movement about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and loca-ted substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom, and mechanism automatically operative to tip the ift/irai'ee holder 'about said axis at the time of said pause in the relative movement of the roll and support to present that portion of the shoe bottom that slopes rearwardly from the ball-line in substantially the same relation to the roll as the torepart previously operated upon.

23. In a machine of the class described, a

' leveling roll, a shoe support, and means for eiiiecting relative movement of said roll and support lengthwise o' the shoe to cause the roll to traverse the-orepart and shank portions of the bottom of the shoe, said means being constructed to eect a pause in the relative movement of the roll and support when the roll is located at the ball of the shoe, said shoe support comprising a shoe holder mounted for tipping movement about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and located mbstantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom, and mechanism automatically operative to tip the holder in one direction about said axis at the time of said pause in the relative movement of the roll and support to present that portion of the shank of the shoe adjacent to the ball-line in proper relation to the roll and thereafter to tip the holder in the opposite direction as the roll traverses the shank of the shoe to maintain different portions of the shank in substantially the same relation to the roll.

2li. In a machine of the class described, a leveling roll, a shoe support, and means for effecting relative movements of said roll and support lengthwise of the shoe in opposite directions successively to cause the roll to traverse the orepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom repeatedly, said'shoe support comprising a shoe holder mounted for tipping movement about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom, and mechanism automatically operative each time that the roll arrives substantially at the ball of the shoe to tip the holder about said axis for presenting that portion of the shoe bottom next to be operated upon in proper relation to the roll.

25. In a machine of the class described, a leveling roll, a shoe support, and means for effecting relative movements of said roll and support lengthwise of the shoe in opposite directions successively to cause the roll to traverse the orepart and shank portions oi' the shoe bottom repeatedly, said shoe support comprising a shoe holder mounted fortipping movement about an axis extending laterally oi the shoe and located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shankportions of the shoe bottom, and mechanism automatically operative in time relation to the relative movement of said roll and support in each direction to tip the holder about said axis in one direction while the roll is traversing the shank portion of the shoe and to tip it in the opposite direction when the roll is located substantially at the junction of the orepart and shank.

26. In a machine 'of the class described, a leveling roll and a shoe support relatively movable lengthwise of a shoe on said support to cause the roll to traverse the bottom of the shoe, and mechanism automatically operative in the traverse of the roll over the shank portion of the shoe bottom to tip the shoe progressively about an axis extending laterally of the shoe in such relation thereto as to maintain a substantially uniform angular relation between the direction of 'the leveling pressure and the longitudinal'contour 'of the shank.

27. In a machine of the class described, a leveling roll and a shoe support relatively movable lengthwise of a shoe on said support to cause the roll to traversethe bottom of the shoe, and mechanism automatically `operative in the traverse of the roll over the shank portion of the shoe bottom to tip the shoe pro'- gressively' about an axis extending laterally of the shoe in a location substantially at 'the junction of the orepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom to maintain a substantially uniform angular relation between the direction of the leveling pressure and the longitudinal contour of the shank.

28. In a machine of the class described, Ithe combination with a leveling tool, of a shoe support mounted for swinging movement to cause the tool to traverse the bottom of a shoe lengthwise of the shoe, and means 'for tipping the shoe in the leveling operation about an axis extending laterally thereof -in a diierent location from the axis of movement of said support.

29. In a machine Vof the class described, the combination with a leveling Itool, ot'a shoe support mounted for swingingmovement to cause the tool to traverse the bottom of a shoe lengthwise of the shoe, said shoe support including-a shoe holder mounted for swinging movement in the leveling operation about an axis extending laterally of the shoe in a location different from the axis of movement of the support as a whole for controlling the relation between the shoe and the too 30. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a leveling tool, of a shoe Asupport mounted for swinging' movement about an axis in a location remote from the shoe to cause the tool to traverse the bottom of the shoe lengthwise of the shoe, said 'shoe support including a shoe lholder mounted for swinging movement about "an axis extend-ing laterally of the shoe and located substantially at the junction of the forepart and lshank portions 'of the shoe bottom for controlling the rel'ation'between the shoe and the tool.

3l. In a machine of the class described, a leveling tool, a shoe support mounted foi1 swinging movement to cause the tool to traverse the bottom of a shoe lengthwise of the shoe, said shoe support including a shoe holder mounted for swinging movement about an axis extending laterally of the shoe in a different location from the axis of movement of the support as a whole, means for swinging the support, and mechanism automatically operative in time relation to the swinging of the supp-ort to swing the holder` about its axis for controlling the relationbetween the shoe and the tool.'

32. In a machine of the class described, a leveling tool, a shoe support mounted for swinging movement to cause the tool to traverse the bottom of a shoe lengthwise of the shoe, said shoe support including a shoe holder mounted for swinging movement about an axis extending laterally -of the shoe and located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottom to control the relation between the shoe and the tool, means for swinging said support, and mechanism automatically operative in time relation to the swinging of the support in one direction to swing said holder about its axis in opposite directions successively.

Y 33. In a machine of the class described` a leveling tool, a shoe support mounted for swinging movement to cause the tool to traverse the bottom of a shoe lengthwise of the shoe, said shoe support including a shoe holder mounted for swinging movement about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe bottorn to control the relation between the shoe and the t-ool, means for swinging said support, and mechanism automatically operative to swing the holder about its axis in one direction when the tool is located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank p0rtions of the shoe bottom and to swing it in the opposite direction progressively as the tool is traversing the shank portion of the shoe bot-tom.

34. In a machine of the class described, a leveling tool and a shoe support relatively movable to cause the tool to traverse the bottom of a shoe lengthwise of the shoe, said shoe support comprising a shoe holder mounted for swinging movement in the leveling operation about an axis extending laterally of the shoe in a location adjacent to the bottom of the shoe and adjustable to position shoes of different styles or sizes in substantially the same relation to said axis.

35. In a machine of the class described, a `leveling tool and a shoe support relatively movable to cause the tool to traverse the bottom of a shoe lengthwise of the shoe, said shoe support comprising a shoe holder mountin substantially the same relation to said axis.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ANDREW EPPLER. 

